Errant bikers to be counselled on safe riding by cops

The Mumbai traffic police are now counselling bikers who ride on the wrong side of the road to get them to ride safely. The two-hour sessions which are being conducted at the traffic police headquarters, has had a positive effect with the cases of bikers riding on the wrong side of the road substantially decreasing.

The Mumbai traffic police are now counselling bikers who ride on the wrong side of the road to get them to ride safely. The two-hour sessions which are being conducted at the traffic police headquarters, has had a positive effect with the cases of bikers riding on the wrong side of the road substantially decreasing.

“It was very important for us to invoke the fear of law among the motorists as many have no respect for the traffic regulations and feel free to break the rules. As a result, we had started arresting bikers riding on the wrong side of the road. They were then made to attend the counselling sessions, where we have a dialogue with them,” said Dr BK Upadhyay, joint commissioner of police traffic.

Over the past month, the traffic authorities have undertaken several campaigns to control rogue driving on city roads. One of the initiatives was the special drive against bikers riding on the wrong side of the roads.

The drive, started in November, is still on. Until now, the police have arrested 2,967 bikers. As many as 627 FIRs have been registered so far under the new initiative where the bikers were booked for rash driving under Indian Penal Code section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way).

During the two-hour sessions, the bikers were shown films and videos on what rules to follow. This was supported by several case studies so the bikers could relate to the victims and not indulge in rash and negligent driving in the near future, said officers.

“Riding on the wrong side does not only put the biker in the harm’s way, but it is equally dangerous for the other motorists. Many such cases have resulted in accidents with bikers losing their lives,” said an officer.

Officials added that among the places where the surprise checks were conducted for a crackdown on rogue bikers, the cases of riding rashly in those areas have shown a decrease.